A curated community board for freelance illustrators and comic creators

Weekly Roundup – March 31, 2017

Hello! Welcome again to another Weekly Roundup. In the Weekly Roundup, I provide links and summarized information about the crowdfunded projects, creator opportunities, and resources that have caught my eye over the week. I hope you enjoy!

As a note: I am not sponsored by any company, group, or individual listed below or elsewhere on this site unless otherwise listed.

Helping Others

Are you a US resident wondering what to do about recent executive orders, gag orders, cabinet confirmations, and the future of your country? Sign up with 5calls.org to find out who to call about specific, pressing issues and what to say. Countable is also an informative resource (though I’ve personally been having issues with the app).

Take care and take your time. Your work is more important than ever. Thank you for sharing your originality and openness with the world. You bring light to the days of others, and it is so, so appreciated.

The Being | Isota – erotic graphic novel is running a Kickstarter to fund its production. The Being | Isota is the first erotic graphic novel created by a team of female creators in Poland. The book will feature 80+ pages of full-color illustrations and comics in both English and Polish. Tier options include a digital wallpaper, digital and physical copies of the book, postcards, prints, original comic pages, and a guest appearance within the pages of the graphic novel. The Kickstarter ends on April 5.

Your Royal Gayness – The Ultimate Fairytale Parody Game is running a Kickstarter to help fund its marketing needs and supplementary artists and writers. In Your Royal Gayness, you play as Amir, a closeted gay prince who must come up with excuses to avoid marrying princesses and help create a more queer-friendly kingdom. To quote the project: “We’re making a funny game with a gay protagonist, but the idea is not to make fun of gay people, it’s about pointing out absurd situations sexual minorities have to face in their daily life through humor.” Tier options include a digital wallpaper pack, keys for the game on either Steam or itch.io, physical copies of the game, the digital soundtrack, a digital artbook, posters, stickers, your name in the game, or a custom character. The Kickstarter ends on April 6.

Fresh Romance brings you Volume 2 and Verona in its Kickstarter to fund the production and shipping of these new works. Comic anthology series Fresh Romance returns with its second volume featuring queer romance stories by Irene Koh, Sally Jane Thompson, and more. Chapters will be released monthly. Verona is the first original graphic novel released under the Fresh Romance Presents banner and retells the story of Romeo and Juliet with a modern setting and contemporary considerations. Tier options include a digital wallpaper, digital and physical copies of Verona, digital and physical copies of Fresh Romance Volume 2, prints, and an editorial consultation with Emet publisher Maytal Gilboa. The Kickstarter ends on April 7.

Mark of the Conifer: An Epic Fantasy Dinosaur Novel is running a Kickstarter to fund, its production. The illustrated novel tells the story of a young raptor warrior and will feature about 500 pages of content with 100 full color illustrations and 120,000 words of text. Tier options include digital and physical copies of the book in softcover and hardcover, bookmarks, stickers, papercraft patterns, a print, and a plushie. The Kickstarter ends on April 7.

Resisters: A Coloring Book is running a Kickstarter to raise funds for its production and fulfillment. Resisters features portraits of, quotes by, and information about 50 historically significant women printed on thick, absorbent paper. Tier options include 5 PDF pages, the physical coloring book itself, notecards, posters, and a hand-drawn woman of your choosing. The Kickstarter ends on April 12.

Who We Are Now – A queer, post-apocalyptic visual novel is running a Kickstarter to fund the production of the game. Who We Are Now follows Wes, a survivor of apocalyptic desolation who is struggling to overcome trauma, horror, and feelings of isolation. When he finds a new settlement called Home, he meets four men with whom the player, through Wes, can develop relationships and heal. Tier options include a digital copy of the game, the digital soundtrack, and a digital artbook. The Kickstarter ends on April 14.

House of Wicked Creatures: An Indie Comic is running a Kickstarter to fund the work of the artist and letterer, as well as to pay for the production of the book. House of Wicked Creatures tells the story of Pan and Wraith, who attempt to frighten humans out of infringing upon the creatures of the forest. Tier options include digital and physical copies of the book, magnets, and an 8-page coloring book. The Kickstarter ends on April 14.

Bingo Love: A Black Queer Romance Graphic Novella is running a Kickstarter to fund its production costs. The 80-page graphic novella tells the story of Hazel Johnson and Mari McCray, two black teenagers who fall in love but are separated by the politics and pressures of the 1960s. Decades later they meet again playing Bingo. You can preview some of the pages, beautifully rendered by Jenn St-Onge. Tier options include a digital wallpaper, pdf and physical copies of the book, physical copies with variant covers, postcards, an enamel pin, a script review by Erica Schultz, Al Ewing, or Shawn Pryor, commissions, portfolio reviews, and Skype interviews. The Kickstarter ends on April 17.

Launch Ladies – A Children’s Book About the Ladies of Space is running a Kickstarter to fund its production and shipment. Launch Ladies will be a board book suitable for toddlers and young children featuring illustrations of the women of the past, present, and future who have made space travel possible. Tier options include the book itself, an enamel pin, a patch, and limited edition prints. The Kickstarter ends on April 20.

F(r)iction #7 – A Fine Art & Literature Collection is running a Kickstarter to fund its production and shipment. This issue of F(r)iction is the seventh in the triannually released series of illustrated fiction and poetry that largely features emerging writers. Tier options include digital and physical copies of the book, a one year subscription that will include copies of future issues #8 and #9, a two year subscription, the 2016 issues, a mug or glass, comics, prints, an ARC of STOPLIGHT, and a Skype interview with the editors. The Kickstarter ends on April 22.

The Zodiac Dreams Artbook is running a Kickstarter to fund its printing and fulfillment. The book will feature over 24 illustrations of the artist’s interpretation of Western and Chinese zodiacs along with mythology surrounding the zodiac sign pictured. Tier options include stickers, postcards, a coloring book, the art book itself, prints, commissions, and original artwork from the book. The Kickstarter ends on April 26.

The Queers and Comics Conference, in partnership with Prism Comics, is hosting a Travel Fund through Indiegogo’s Generosity platform. Donate funds to provide queer creators with travel funds to attend the conference on April 14 and 15. Donation tiers include benefits, such as digital and physical copies of books, postcards, t-shirts, and commissions from queer creators.

Animation

Here is a survey for Women Professionals in Animation. If you work in animation and identify as a woman, please submit your anonymous information to this survey to inform and assist current and future animators.

You can find a directory of currently open animation jobs at animatedjobs.com! Companies like DHX Media, Disney, Nickelodeon, and others have a number of open full-time, part-time, freelance, and remote positions available, including those in social media, editing, and teaching.

The Trans Lifeline Benefit Anthology is accepting submissions of writing and illustration. Stories must be fanwork for a work in the public domain and have a hopeful or happy ending. 100% of proceeds will be donated to Trans Lifeline. Submissions are due by March 31.

Yaoi Con is hosting a Mascot Contest. Illustrate two new mascots for the chance to win a full weekend pass and an artist alley table. Your art will also be featured throughout the con. Contest ends March 31.

Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic that previously published Raina Telgemeier’s Smile, Jeff Smith’s Bone, and Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet, is accepting submissions for graphic novelists creating works for children and teens. Visit their site for more information. The deadline to apply is April 1.

The John Locher Memorial Award is accepting submissions of artwork with strong political points of view from applicants aged 18-25 until April 15. Winners will receive a $1000 cash prize, an all-expenses-paid trip to the annual convention of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, and a free pass to the CTN Animation Expo in Burbank, California, November 17th-19th.

Resist! Volume 2 is accepting submissions for their not-for-profit zine until May, though artists are encouraged to submit early and often. The first volume was distributed for free at inauguration protests, but the second volume will be available for a low cost at bookstores and comic stores nationwide, with plans to make copies available to schools and libraries. Women, minorities, and international artists are encouraged to submit.

For the Scribes is accepting submissions for their first issue of the Fresh Ink anthology until May 1. The theme is “Also Liberation.” Poetry, fiction, other prose, and comic submissions are welcome. No information provided on crediting, rights, or pay.

San Japan, a convention in San Antonio, Texas, is running two art contests with two winners for each. Two T-Shirt Contest winners will each receive an Artist Alley table and four convention badges. Two Mega Art Contest winners will each receive an Artist Alley table and four convention badges. Read here for more information. T-Shirt contest entries are due May 20, and Mega Art contest entries are due June 1.

A Legend of Zelda zine is accepting submissions of art until June 14. No information is provided about payment or distribution.

Rebel Mountain Press is accepting submissions of nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and artwork from LGBTQ2 people living in Canada. Submissions are due by June 30.

Taking the Lane #15: True Trans Bike Rebel is accepting submissions of short fiction (500-2500 words), illustrations, and photography until July 1. Payment to be split among contributors after the zine is crowdfunded.

Webcomic Amya is seeking a new fulltime artist within the next six months. Ideally, the selected artist would be able to commit to the project for 4 years. The selected will be paid $75 per page.

Argot Magazine is seeking written and illustrated submissions about queer and marginalized experiences. Click here for more on their mission as well as their pay rates.

Black Girls Create is looking for submissions of written, drawn, filmed, photographed, or any other expression of creative work from black creators showing what their time at Hogwarts would’ve looked like!

The Brave Some is seeking submissions of short stories, prose, essays, reviews, and visual art by creators who identify as black and/or brown women and femmes.

San Japan, a convention in San Antonio, Texas, is running two art contests with two winners for each. Two T-Shirt Contest winners will each receive an Artist Alley table and four convention badges. Two Mega Art Contest winners will each receive an Artist Alley table and four convention badges. Read here for more information. T-Shirt contest entries are due May 20, and Mega Art contest entries are due June 1.

Designers

Mentorships

The Representation Matters Mentorship Program is accepting applications on a rolling basis from self-identified people of color interested in the publishing industry. Mentorships will last 6 months, with a minimum of one session every two months.

Residencies, Retreats, and Workshops

The Boston Public Library Writer-In-Residence Program is accepting applications until April 14. Recipients will receive a $20,000 stipend and office space in exchange for working 19 hours a week at the Boston Public Library. Writers of fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, scripts, or poetry are welcome to apply.

The Splendid Mola Retreat for Writers is accepting applications until April 25. Two fellowships will be granted to writers who identify with groups that are traditionally underrepresented in publishing and also have some financial need.

Jack Jones Literary Arts is hosting its first annual writing retreat at the Writer’s Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs, AR. Applications will be accepted until May 1. 5 fully funded scholarships are available.

The Aurora Challenge Grantis accepting applications from US citizens residing in California who seek to travel to Japan to fulfill a dream or pursuit between September 1, 2017 and August 31, 2018. Applications are due today,March 31.

The John Locher Memorial Award is accepting submissions of artwork with strong political points of view from applicants aged 18-25 until April 15. Winners will receive a $1000 cash prize, an all-expenses-paid trip to the annual convention of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, and a free pass to the CTN Animation Expo in Burbank, California, November 17th-19th.

The Right of Return Fellowship and retreat is accepting applications from formerly incarcerated artists until April 21. Five selected recipients will receive $20,000 each to produce art that challenges mass incarceration.

The Dash Grant applications are open for attendees of the Short Run Comix and Arts Festival in Seattle. Apply by April 22 for a chance to be awarded $250.

Writing and Editing

Cicada is seeking submissions of poetry, fiction, essays, and comics for their issue on aliens until April 27, and submissions on puppets and dolls due by May 27.

From March 1 to March 31, the DC Comic Writers Workshop will accept applications. Those accepted will receive access to a 13-week video workshop to help develop a portfolio with writing for DC Comics.

Black Girl Magic Lit Mag is accepting submissions of all varieties of speculative fiction for an upcoming fantasy fiction-themed issue. Creators of selected fiction works will be paid $50; creators of nonfiction works will be paid $25. Submissions are due today, March 31.

Secrets of the Goat People #2, released by Women Write About Comics, is accepting submissions of prose, comics, and illustration based on the theme of “resistance” until today, March 31.

The Sesame Street Writers’ Room is accepting applications from writers of underrepresented racial groups for their Writers’ Room Fellowship until today, March 31.

The Trans Lifeline Benefit Anthology is accepting submissions of writing and illustration. Stories must be fanwork for a work in the public domain and have a hopeful or happy ending. 100% of proceeds will be donated to Trans Lifeline. Submissions are due today,March 31.

Platypus Press is accepting submissions of emotional, vulnerable poetry for the anthology A Portrait in Blues until April 30.

For the Scribes is accepting submissions for their first issue of the Fresh Ink anthology until May 1. The theme is “Also Liberation.” Poetry, fiction, other prose, and comic submissions are welcome. No information provided on crediting, rights, or pay.

Flaming Aces & Arrows is accepting previously unpublished submissions of asexual- and aromantic-spectrum short stories and poems written by asexual- and aromantic-spectrum people. Submissions are due by June 15.

Rebel Mountain Press is accepting submissions of nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and artwork from LGBTQ2 people living in Canada. Submissions are due by June 30.

Indivisible We Stand is accepting submissions from women-identifying writers until July 1. Stories of resistance, protest, and the fight for women’s rights of 1000 to 5000 words are welcome.

Taking the Lane #15: True Trans Bike Rebel is accepting submissions of short fiction (500-2500 words), illustrations, and photography until July 1. Payment to be split among contributors after the zine is crowdfunded.

Argot Magazine is seeking written and illustrated submissions about queer and marginalized experiences. Click here for more on their mission as well as their pay rates.

Asymptote is accepting submissions of literary fiction, literary nonfiction, and poetry from the seven countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen) directly affected by Trump’s travel ban. Contributors will be paid $200 per feature. Submissions are also being accepted on a rolling basis for other contributors and submission styles.

Black Girls Create is looking for submissions of written, drawn, filmed, photographed, or any other expression of creative work from black creators showing what their time at Hogwarts would’ve looked like!

The Brave Some is seeking submissions of short stories, prose, essays, reviews, and visual art by creators who identify as black and/or brown women and femmes.

Online monthly magazine The Dark is accepting submissions from 2000 to 6000 words in length. Encouraged genres include horror and dark fantasy, but graphic, violent horror is not desired. Payment is $0.03/word for up to 6000 words. Republishing payment is $0.01/word.

Random House’s digital-only imprint Hydra has open submissions for completed works in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror categories. There is no word count limit for submissions, but full-length works of 40,000 words or more are preferred. Accepted writers will be assigned to a Random House editor, marketer, and publicist. Response time is usually 2-4 weeks.

On She Goes is seeking pitches and ideas about women of color and traveling. Tips, insight, and anecdotes are welcome.

Pink Narcissus Press is seeking complete novel and novella manuscripts of 50,000 words or more. They are interested in well-written but non-mainstream speculative fiction with strong elements of sci-fi or fantasy.

pnk prl is accepting submissions of blackout/erasure poetry from LGBTQ+ writers until further notice. Please source the origin of the original source.

The Quillis accepting submissions of stories, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Check here for their submission guidelines and pay scale.

Sapphire Books is accepting submissions of lesbian fiction, particularly within the genres of romance, mystery/intrigue with romantic elements, and young adult.

Youth

Check out Comics Club, a new blog that highlights and connects comics clubs and shares advice and resources to help youth comic creators. Comics Club is currently hoping to hear from teachers and other educators, existing comics clubs, or members of the community with insight to offer or events to share.

Vancouver Island students in grade 8 through 12 are invited to submit to “In Your Own Voice 2017,” a teen anthology to be published by Rebel Mountain Press. Written works and visual art are welcome. Submit by March 31 to be considered. Selected contributors will receive a copy of the zine, and winners of the contest will receive cash prizes sponsored by Vancouver Island Regional Libraries.

Becca Hillburn is not only a provider of extensive, honest, and high-quality product reviews and tutorials, she’s a full-time comic artist and illustrator passionate about children’s lit and helping others. Check out her store, her book, or her Patreon and send her a “thank you” message if you can!

ZapCreatives is giving away 50 clear acrylic charms to a random person who retweets this tweet.

That’s it for this week! Look out for another post next week with these categories and possibly more. Is there something you’d like to see more of? Something you know about but don’t see here? Let me know!

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